Florida Rep. Trey Radel Pleads Guilty To Cocaine Possession

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18. John Boehner holds fire on cocaine controversy

John Boehner holds fire on cocaine controversy
http://www.politico.com/story/2013/11/john-boehner-cocaine-controversy-trey-radel-100148.html

By JAKE SHERMAN and ANNA PALMER | 11/20/13 3:33 PM EST

John Boehner has made swiftly dealing with bad behavior a signature of his leadership, at times working behind the scenes to orchestrate an exit or levy a punishment on lawmakers caught in ethical or legal mishaps.

But House Republican leaders are not calling for first-term Rep. Trey Radel (R-Fla.) to step down after he pleaded guilty in D.C. Superior Court to possessing cocaine. Radel was swept up in a drug sting in October by an undercover police officer and an “acquaintance” with whom he had done cocaine, according to court documents.

The Florida Republican has not said he will resign while he seeks treatment — and GOP leaders are not pressuring him to give up his seat. He didn’t tell GOP leadership about the sting until Tuesday, according to multiple sources familiar with the incident — roughly three weeks after it occurred.